Schools have been issued with an “important safety alert” over students “deliberately” ingesting copper sulphate.

The Department for Education issued the alert after CLEAPSS, an advisory service “supporting safe, high-quality practical work” in science and design and technology, said it had responded to “increases in calls to its helpline”.

The organisation said the “most concerning” incidents involved school students “deliberately” consuming the compound.

As a result, the DfE has advised school staff to “enforce the rules” outlined in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.

Staff should ensure that “no eating or drinking” policies are maintained in all laboratories and preparation rooms.

Science lab safety warning

Teachers and support staff have also been told to make sure that they are familiar with lab emergency procedures and the revised safety advice for copper sulphate, which is commonly used for agricultural, industrial and chemical purposes.

Tes asked CLEAPSS how many calls it had been received about this, and how many incidents of deliberate consumption are thought to have taken place, but a spokesperson said it could not provide this information.

In November a national newspaper reported that three Oxfordshire school students were taken to hospital after ingesting the chemical, which can cause severe illness and nausea.

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